CEO Message

UNIVA CAPITAL GroupChairman and Group CEO

Shuji Inaba

UNIVA CAPITAL is an integrated growth enterprise.

We are not an investment fund.
UNIVA CAPITAL Group was founded in 2006 with the idea of creating a growth-oriented enterprise group through integration of multiple values. Its form can be called a “federated company group”.
I believe that the culture of greed and competition has gone too far, which is one of the reasons for the current economic crisis.
This is not to say that we reject competition.
We intend to press forward together in these challenging times by maximizing the synergies between companies of value, through recognition and leveraging of their own strengths, to gain greater competitiveness.

UNIVA CAPITAL Group comprises 62 operating companies, 15 businesses in 14 countries / regions and approximately 700 employees. Each company’s strengths act as a catalyst for the evolution of the others. The Group will continue to move ahead boldly in this changing world, powered by the resulting synergies that generate energy.

What's UNIVA

UNIVA CAPITAL Group is a federated corporate group.

The federation comprises 62 operating companies in 15 businesses, in addition to the UNIVA CAPITAL companies that support them.
The businesses run the gamut from health care to advertising.
Each of these companies could stand on its own. But by melding their strengths across industry boundaries,
we have created a more prosperous group, with annual sales for the group as a whole reaching US$570,000,000.

Whereas corporate groups in general branch off from a single business and form conglomerates,
the operating companies in our group stand on equal footing, with their independence secured.
The companies of UNIVA CAPITAL which are not directly engaged in business themselves provide support and coordination from a global perspective.
Their goal is to promote the integration of human capital and knowledge capital across firms, whether in the same or different businesses,
thereby increasing financial capital and helping the group become more resilient and powerful.

UNIVA means “Unite the Value”

In other words, UNIVA CAPITAL Group is a corporate group uniting the values of each of its operating companies.

Group Management Philosophy & UNIVA WAY

We contribute to global peace and harmony by creatingwin-win-win relationships the world over in all of our activities.

UNIVA WAY

Capitalism based on co-creationOur aim in forming the group and building cooperative relationships is not “co-existence.” By combining and refining our strengths, we co-create new value.

People-focused managementOur people are our most important asset. In evaluating our people we focus on two dimensions vital for creating new value: action instead of connection alone and tackling the unknown instead of remaining stuck in existing routines. We aim to transform each individual’s potential (Energy) into Synergy.

Global ambitionsAs a global enterprise, we must think freely and act flexibly, unhindered by existing norms and national or cultural differences. Diversity is our strength.

Strategy

Participating in the UNIVA CAPITAL Group~ As NAKAMA (Comrade)

Our objective is to maximize group capital, not buy-outs.

To maximize group capital, we acquire majority equity stakes in firms joining the group, share risk and participate in their management. Mergers and acquisitions are a means to build relationships where we can work closely together.

Participating in management requires a shared vision.
Differences in vision make it impossible to co-create and develop synergies with the other group companies, engage in joint problem-solving, and grow all our companies.

Effective participation requires a shared understanding of common goals and strategies.
To us the directors and employees of all group companies are NAKAMA (Comrades).
"NAKAMA" is a Japanese term that means that we work, sweat, and grow together through relationships built on mutual understanding.

Without such mutual understanding, the group creates no synergies. That is why the UNIVA CAPITAL Group does not engage in hostile takeovers.

UNIVA CAPITAL Finance Limited

Executive Profiles

Shuji Inaba :

UNIVA CAPITAL Group Chairman and CEO

Mr. Inaba joined Recruit in 1985, working in the staffing and marketing functions. Was on a temporary transfer to JETRO, where he was involved in promoting exports to and investment in Japan. Later was on another assignment at Recruit Eizo (currently Jupiter Visual Communications) where he built their satellite broadcasting and broadband businesses as Director and General Manager.
In 2006, formed UNIVA CAPITAL Group, Inc. in the United States and assumed the position of CEO.

Jamie A. Karp :

UNIVA CAPITAL Group, Inc. Director

After stints at Disco International Career Resource and Nambu International, Mr. Karp served as Senior Vice President of Recruit I.C.I., Director at IMCA America, and Director/HR Head at JustSystems North America, Inc. Joined UNIVA CAPITAL Group,Inc. as Director in 2007.

Daniel Kung :

UNIVA CAPITAL Investments Limited CEO

Daniel Kung is also known as Lord of Smallborough. He began his career with Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co in Manchester, England in late 1970’s and was trained and qualified as a professional accountant in England in 1980. He returned to Hong Kong in 1982 and worked for Price Waterhouse with a special responsibility of helping foreign companies investing in China. In late 1989, he founded his company Daniel Kung & Co as a business and investment advisor.

Atsuhiko Sano :

UNIVA CAPITAL Finance Limited Representative

Mr. Sano began his career at Recruit in 1988. He later founded Esco Co., Ltd. that provides consulting in the areas of energy conservation and cost reduction, assuming position of Representative Director. Appointed President of UNIVA CAPITAL Japan Limited in 2008, and Representative Director of UNIVA CAPITAL Finance Limited in 2009.

Hideto Murakami :

UNIVA Communications Limited Representative

Mr. Murakami started his career at Recruit in 1988, where he worked in business management. Thereafter he was on a temporary assignment at Recruit Eizo (currently Jupiter Visual Communications). Appointed Director of UNIVA CAPITAL Japan Limited in 2009 and Representative of UNIVA Communications Limited in November 2017.

Katsuhiro Mizuno :

Representative of UNIVA Social Limited & UNIVA Marche Limited

Mr. Mizuno started his career at Recruit in 1985, where he was involved in the information network business, pre-owned cars, and bridal businesses. Was then on an assignment at Recruit Health Insurance Society, where he built the healthcare business as Managing Director and General Manager. Joined UNIVA CAPITAL Japan Limited in 2010 and appointed Director in 2013. Appointed Representative of UNIVA Marche Limited in April 2017 and appointed Representative of UNIVA Social Limited in February 2018.

Kenichi Goto :

UNIVA Fusion Limited President

After working as the President of electronic component manufacturer and trading firm, Director of an investment company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Representative of a national chain bakery, a brand bag manufacturer, and Japanese arm of a Korean cosmetics company, Mr. Goto joined Index Co., Ltd. and was appointed as the President in 2009 to present. Appointed Director of ZYX International in 2010 and appointed Representative in 2012 to present. Appointed Director of UNIVA Fusion Limited and appointed President in 2014.

Shuhei Nakao :

UNIVA Paycast Limited President

Mr. Nakao entered J-Payment Co., Ltd. (currently known as ROBOT PAYMENT Inc.) in 2003. Joined Internet Payment Service Co., Ltd. (current UNIVA Paycast Limited) in 2004 and appointed Director in 2010. And then appointed Managing Director in 2015 and President in April 2018.

Takaaki Nagoshi :

Naturally Plus President

Mr. Nagoshi entered Naturally Plus in 2003. After working as the Osaka Salon Manager, was appointed as the President of Taiwan Naturally Plus Co., Ltd. in 2004. Appointed Chairman and President in 2005, appointed Director of Naturally Plus in 2007, President of Asia Pacific area in 2008, and appointed President of Naturally Plus in 2010.

Kenkichi Kimura :

ADFRONTE Co., Ltd. Representative

Mr. Kimura entered USEN Corporation after worked for Daily Yomiuri Newspaper. Successfully acquired 250 thousand USEN users through building the agent system throughout Japan. Later on, entered Hoso Shuppan Agency and was promoted to General Manager of Sales Department. Then entered ADFRONTE Co., Ltd. and helped it become an advertising agent from a production company. Three years later, appointed Representative.

Fumiaki Nakaya :

ZYX International Representative

Founded ZYX International in 1986 while in college and appointed Representative to present. Except sales promotion, also engaged in space design, finance, rent office businesses and converted divisions to companies. Appointed Director of STRACTCAST Co., Ltd., President of Saikoh Co., Ltd., Director of Vista Communications KK, Representative Director of MotePAPA Laboratory INC. and Director of PATH Corporation.

Our Business

Management

The core of the UNIVA Group Responsible for management of the Group as a whole

Naturally Plus Brunei participated for the first time in GEMAPK EXPO held on December 22-31.

2017.12.14

Naturally Plus flagship product IZUMIO was featured in a research report on the health benefits of hydrogenated water at the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine (A4M) Conference, December 14-16, in Las Vegas, where IZUMIO also had a booth.

Establishment of UNIVA Communications Limited in Minato-ku, Tokyo with Hideto Murakami as CEO.

2017.10.24

At the In-House Magazine Awards 2017, UNIVA Group’s in-house magazine annual book “UNI-SIGHT 2016” was awarded the Grand Prize in the Annuals and Memories Division. Then the July 2016 issue was awarded the Silver Prize in the In-House Web Division.

2017.10.15

Naturally Plus Hong Kong held an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its founding.

2017.10.11

UN IVA Group is once again a sponsor of the Jubun-Shi [Autobiography] Festival.

2017.10.2

UNIVA Denki has been able to provide electricity supply to all areas in Japan (except Okinawa Electric Power Company and remote islands in Okinawa).

2017.10.2

As a part of UNIVA Social Project, UNIVA Mutual Aid Association started its operation.

UNIVA Paycast Limited (Paycast) tied up with Alipay in China to provide settlement services for brick-and-mortar businesses. With the addition of online settlement services to the two enormous market segments, Paycast now offers coverage of 80 percent of online payments in China.

Twenty-five Naturally Plus (NP) salons in twelve countries set up donation boxes and solicited funds to support the Kumamoto relief effort. Funds of 4.5 million yen were distributed to NP members in Kumamoto which were donated by the members and employees.

2016.05.28

Naturally Plus 6th SEA Convention “Field of Dreams” was held in Singapore, with 2,400 individuals attending.

2016.05.25

UNIVA Paycast Limited released “Local Search (Beta version)”, a new feature added to Gyro-n SEO to simplify searching by locality.

Shosei Asakura was appointed to the board of directors of UNIVA CAPITAL Japan Limited.

2015.11.20

Katsuhiro Mizuno was appointed to the Representative of UNIVA Social Commence Inc.

2015.11.13

UNIVA Resort, LLC has reached an agreement with Oak Capital Corporation (a company listed in the second section of the Tokyo stock exchange) to jointly operate the Big Island Country Club, a golf club located in Hawaii, and develop the area around it.

2015.11.10

UNIVA Resort, LLC officially acquired 403 acres of land encompassing the Big Island Country Club on Hawaii Island.

2015.11.1

To increase the value of the services we offer to our e-commerce customers, ubicast Corporation and Internet Payment Service, Inc. have merged to form UNIVA Paycast Limited with headquarters in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

Naturally Plus Co., Ltd. was proud to sponsor YONEX OPEN JAPAN 2015, Japan’s largest international badminton tournament, which was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Shibuya ward, September 8-13.

2015.8.22

The official opening ceremony for Naturally Plus Brunei was held in Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan.

2015.8.18

With a focus on expanding into resort and hospitality business, UNIVA Resort, LLC was established in Hawaii with Shuji Inaba as CEO.

2015.8.10

ZYZ Inc has transferred a portion of its shares in Madre:X Co., Ltd., to its affiliate Path Corporation. In addition, with underwriting provided by Path Corporation, Zyva Studio Co., Ltd. has increased its capital through a private placement. These steps have been taken to further the growth of these two companies.

2015.7.6

Naturally Plus began operations in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the eleventh country of Naturally Plus business.

2015.6.20

Naturally Plus’s branch in the tenth country started business in Manila, the Philippines.

2015.6.6

Naturally Plus Indonesia opened its third salon in Surabaya.

2015.5.25

Naturally Plus Super Euglena Paramylon ARX went on sale in Singapore.

2015.5.19

On May 19, ADFRONTE Co., Ltd. held the "Ducati 1299 Panigale Japan Premium Launch & Test Ride," offering Japanese fans and journalists an opportunity to see and even try out the Italian motorcycle manufacturer’s latest heart-stopping creation.

2015.4.18

Naturally Plus holds its fifth South East Asia Convention “GALAXSEA” in Singapore.

UNIVA CAPITAL Japan Ltd.'s ESCO-ONE energy-saving system was accepted as qualified for the Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry’s “Tax System for Promotion of Investment in Productivity” scheme and designated a type-A advanced device by the Japan Electrical Manufacturers’ Association.

2015.4.1

Shuhei Nakao became the President of Internet Payment Service, Inc.

2015.4.1

Naturally Plus Japan starts sales of LIFTANT FIRMING SERUM.

2015.3.2

UNIVA CAPITAL Group has, as part of its growing involvement in the healthcare industry, acquired 204,900 shares in the MedBic Group as a third-party allotment, together with equity warrants for five million additional shares. The MediBic Group is listed on the Mothers stock exchange and the aim of this transaction is to take advantage of combining the two Groups’ strengths in gene-related and regenerative medicine businesses. The value of both’s shares is expected to rise. The first step will be to make genetic testing an integral part of regenerative medicine, thus contributing to growth for both Groups.

2015.2.26

Naturally Plus Taiwan opened its sixth salon in Yilan.

2015.1.30

The first Shout Karaoke WPB facility of which UNIVA CAPITAL Group, Inc. is the largest shareholder and public relations conducted by UNIVA America, Inc. opened for business in West Palm Beach, Florida.

2015.1.30

Naturally Plus Europe Distribution Center began operations.

2015.1.23

The 1st UNIVA AWARDS (2014) ceremony which is to recognize outstanding contributions by group employees and companies was held in Tokyo.

2014.12.20

Naturally Plus Taiwan held its regular DASH event with the theme of “Determination – A Dream Rally 10,000 Strong”. Mobilizing 10,033 individuals, this was the largest DASH ever.

2014.12.15

A photograph taken for an event called Precious Sky Fashion Show feat. GUCCI which was for celebrating the 10th anniversary of Japanese publisher Shogakkan’ s Precious magazine planned and operated by ZYX Inc. was chosen by America’s Time magazine as one of the most surprising photographs of 2014.

Ubicast Corporation released Gyon-n AB test, a system that makes it easy to conduct AB tests of Web advertising for multiple target segments.

2014.11.20

UNIVA CAPITAL Group held a charity event in San Francisco for which we invited University of California epidemiologist Dr. Dan Kelley to be the featured speaker. The event was to raise funds to support steps to counter the Ebola hemorrhagic fever, which has threatened to spread worldwide. One hundred twenty-five thousand dollars were contributed to the Wellbody Alliance.

2014.11.5

Wu Ying Ren appointed president of Internet payments agency business International Payment Service, Inc. with Shuhei Nakao as COO and Hirokazu Sasaki as CIO, forming a new management team to lead the company into its second stage of development.

Naturally Plus Japan (NP) ties up with the Japan Guide Dog Society, whose annual guide dog seminars are held at NP's Osaka Salon on August 2, the Fukuoka Salon, on August 9, and the Shibuya seminar room on August 16.

2014.8.8

For this year's annual summer festival, Naturally Plus Japan collaborates with Beers for Books, raising 44,922 yen to support production of books in local languages for children in developing countries.

ubicast Corporation introduced the free ASP service “Gyro-n SFS” which pre-populates a form with registered address, name and email address by one click.

2014.5.25

Naturally Plus holds its fourth South East Asia convention, South East Asia Convention 2014, in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

2014.5.22

Super Lutein MIRTO+, a product jointly developed by UNIVA CAPITAL Corporation Limited and Naturally Plus received the Outstanding Sales Achievement award in the Network Marketing Category at the Best New Product Performance Awards 2013 organized by Horphag Research Ltd.

2014.5.16

Cold Fusion Co., Ltd. launched two new BB cream products, The Protector and The Bright Up, in its Evangelist Lady series.

2014.5.9

Makeup artist Yanagi Nobuto, who is involved in the development of Cold Fusion Co., Ltd.'s Evangelist Nobuto series appeared with the products on the season premiere of FOX TV's Tokyo-LUXE series.

2014.4.9

Naturally Plus Taiwan held a party to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its founding.

Establishment of energy company UNIVA Energy Limited in Hong Kong with Shuji Inaba as CEO.

2012.4.21

Acquisition of all issued shares of Albeeta Petrochemical International Japan Co., Ltd.

2012.4.1

A capital and business alliance was forged with Albeeta Petrochemical International Group to promote the energy business, and all issued stocks of the company were acquired. The company plans to expand the energy business by building a cooperative relationship with the company.

2012.3.30

Additional acquisition of issued shares of 3.77% of Ubicast Corporation ; the total ownership of shares reaches 81.53%.

2011.12.23

UNIVA (Guangzhou) Trading Co., Ltd. received the award for Excellent Enterprise of the year of Health Care Food Profession Association of Guangdong Province.

2011.12.16

Establishment of advertising company POCOT Inc. in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

2011.12.1

In order to share management resources and the know-how of both companies in the area of Web solutions, AXYZ Co., Ltd. and ubicast Corporation merged to further enhance management efficiency.

2011.10.14

Underwriting the allocation of new shares of Cold Fusion, Inc.; acquiring issued shares of 69.5% of Cold Fusion, Inc.

Acquisition of 90.9% of issued stocks of AXYZ Co., Ltd., with plans to expand its IT business.

2011.6.30

Acquisition of 59.3% of issued stocks of Cold Fusion, Inc. and the simultaneous purchase of convertible bonds of the same company with plans to expand the beauty related business.

2011.5.1

Establishment of Business Development Division of UNIVA CAPITAL Hong Kong Limited supporting group businesses and companies to expand business overseas, especially to Mainland China. Toshihiro Tsuruta appointed as company Director.

2010.10.6

Acquisition of all issued stocks of UNIVA CAPITAL Japan Limited (former ESCO Co., Ltd.) with the additional acquisition of 6.4% of issued stocks.

2010.9.1

Additional acquisition of issued shares of 10.16% of ADFRONTE Co., Ltd. resulting in the total held shares reaching 89.84%.

2010.8.31

ARCO New York Inc. changed name to UNIVA America, Inc. in concert with their business expansion.

2010.4.26

Shuji Inaba is appointed Director of North American marketing company ARCO New York, Inc.

Forged an agreement for a capital alliance with ADFRONTE Co., Ltd. (Japan) and acquired 19.1% of the company's issued stocks. The company plans to increase development of ADFRONTE Co., Ltd. (Japan) by building a cooperative relationship through the recent capital alliance.

Acquisition of all issued stocks of Naturally Plus Co., Ltd. in Japan from Medallion Investors Limited.

2008.10.31

Establishment of UNIVA CAPITAL Holdings Limited in the British Cayman Islands as a holding company with Shuji Inaba as CEO.

2008.10.31

Forged a capital alliance with Medallion Healthcare Limited (Japan) and acquired all its issued stocks. At the same time, Medallion Healthcare Limited (Japan) changed its corporate name to Univa Capital Japan Limited.

Forged a capital alliance agreement with Naturally Plus Direct Marketing Pte. Limited (Singapore) to expand health support services. Undertook capital increase and acquisition of all issued stocks of the company. Shuji Inaba appointed as company chairman.

Shuji Inaba aapointed as Medallion Healthcare Limited director in order to strengthen the management structure of the Medallion Healthcare Limited (Japan) subsidiary.

2008.6.2

A capital alliance agreement forged with ZYX Inc. (Japan) following plans to expand the advertising, cosmetics, and food businesses as mainstays. Shuji Inaba appointed as an advisor for the company.The company plans to increase development by building a cooperative relationship through the recent capital alliance.

2007.10.31

Shuji Inaba appointed as ESCO Co., Ltd. (Japan) director in order to strengthen the management structure of the company as it expands its energy conservation business.

2007.4.18

Establishment of UNIVA CAPITAL Investments, Inc. in the British Virgin Islands with Shuji Inaba as CEO.

2007.2.1

Conclusion of an advisory service contract with Medallion Investors Limited (USA) with plans for expanding health support services.

2006.8.14

Establishing of UNIVA CAPITAL Group, Inc. in San Francisco, USA, with Shuji Inaba as CEO.